Where To Stay On Koh Chang - A Short Area Guide
Where to Stay on Koh Chang (If You Want a Bed, Not Just Hammock Dreams)
Koh Chang, where the beaches are beautiful, the hills are vertical, and the monkeys are 100% judging your life choices. Picking where to stay can feel overwhelming, kind of like trying to choose your favorite flavor at a Thai smoothie stand. So here’s a no-nonsense (okay, some nonsense) guide to the island’s main areas, with pros, cons, and some gentle sarcasm to help you decide.
1. White Sand Beach – “Party by night, pad Thai by day”
Vibe: Koh Chang’s most developed beach. Think of it as the Bangkok of the island, but with fewer tuk-tuks and more sand in your shoes.
Pros:
Lots of bars, restaurants, and ATMs (which you’ll need after two nights out).
Great beach with sunset views.
Close to the ferry, so perfect for lazy arrival and panicked departures.
Cons:
Can be noisy, especially if you're next to a fire-dancing bar or if the occupants of the bungalow next door are inconsiderate (insert your personal pet peeve nationality).
Beach gets crowded in high season (so many toes, so little personal space).
Prices slightly inflated by the presence of drunk Europeans with no idea what the baht is worth.
Stay here if: You want action, convenience, and to wake up with sand in your eyebrows.
2. Klong Prao – “Namaste and pass the smoothie bowl”
Vibe: Quiet, spacious, and just the right amount of yoga mat energy. This is where White Sand folks come when they burn out.
Pros:
Big, calm beach perfect for existential reflection or napping.
Great for families, couples, and people pretending to write a novel.
Fewer party bros, more beach dogs.
Cons:
Things close early. Like, grandma-early.
You might need wheels to get around unless you enjoy walking a half-marathon to dinner.
Harder to find that "one quirky bar with fairy lights and a guy playing the ukulele."
Stay here if: You like peace and quiet with just a hint of coconut oil.
3. Kai Bae – “Cool but chill, like an influencer who also composts”
Vibe: Balanced. A hip village vibe, a walkable main street, and a beach that still feels local.
Pros:
Cute cafes, massage huts, and actual sidewalks.
Walkable to everything (unless it’s uphill, then good luck).
Paddle a kayak to tiny offshore islands and pretend you’re in Cast Away (without the volleyball trauma).
Cons:
Slightly less beach space than other areas, especially at high tide.
Some bars, but if you’re looking to dance on tables, maybe don’t.
Stay here if: You’re a cool human who wants the best of both worlds: coconut shakes and sleep by 11.
4. Lonely Beach – “No shoes, no shirt, no judgment”
Vibe: Backpacker central. Cheap drinks, questionable piercings, and hostels with hammocks as beds.
Pros:
Budget-friendly like a 7-Eleven dinner.
Parties every night, or at least some guy with a guitar.
You'll meet 20 people in 10 minutes, and forget their names by breakfast.
Cons:
Hangovers are likely. So are shared bathrooms.
The beach itself is a little meh compared to others.
Not ideal for actual rest, unless you’ve trained as a nightclub bouncer.
Stay here if: You're young, wild, and your liver still functions at 100%.
5. Bang Bao – “Pier life, seafood dreams, and actual locals”
Vibe: A laid-back fishing village on stilts over the water. Quieter, more authentic, and full of seafood smells.
Pros:
Great snorkeling and diving trips leave from here.
Floating restaurants with fresh seafood (and the occasional stray cat).
Unique stay options like houses on the pier.
Cons:
Not much nightlife (unless you count the sound of waves and clinking plates).
Beach access requires a short trip out of town.
If you hate fish smells, maybe not your place.
Stay here if: You want local charm, fresh fish, and a nap over the ocean. Or your name is Popeye.
Final Thoughts
Choosing where to stay on Koh Chang is kind of like dating:
White Sand is fun but high-maintenance.
Klong Prao is calm and stable.
Kai Bae is the artsy one.
Lonely Beach is great for a wild fling.
Bang Bao wants to cook for you and talk about feelings.
Whichever one you choose, you’re still on a tropical island in Thailand. Life’s good. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and mosquito spray.
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